Indian Wedding Jewellery: More Than Just An Accessory

India has a very long and close history with jewellery, the people of India have been wearing it for over 5,000 years. Weddings in India are very well known for the brides extravagant use of golden (and sometimes silver) accessories and so they should be as India is the longest running country to manufacture and produce jewellery to the masses. In Indian weddings it is common to see the bride wearing bangles, earrings, chokers, rings and thin strands of gold across the forehead.

Indian Celebrities wearing wedding jewellery.

Wedding jewellery has come a long way since the 1500’s, metals were not used back then as it was not readily available. Instead they made beads, which could take them days to make and polish off before being worn by both the men and the women of that time. In the Hindu religion it is said that gold and silver are sacred metals, this is why brides wear so much of it during their weddings to this day. It is to help bring good luck and good fortune and is also a statement of wealth and healthy living. Gold represents the warms and shine of the sun and silver represents the light and glowing light of the moon.

Because gold does not wither of corrode over time, the people of India have linked it to and see it as a sign of immorality. The jewellery on your wedding day is not a statement but a tradition and a way of life for the religious people of India. There was a time in history where only the wealthy families of India could wear gold on their feet, this was apparently disrespecting the “sacred” metal but the wealthy were allowed as the gods had been kind to them and they were seen as higher beings.

The colourful jewels you can see in Indian wedding jewellery also have links with the Hindu religion. Navaratna is a collection of 9 gems, all representing a different deity: red zircon, coral, cats eye, topaz, emerald, sapphire, ruby, pearl and diamonds all have a link. The diamond is the highest and most prized gem of them all and India was the first ever country to mine diamonds and sell them for profit. There is no price too high for any Indian wedding, they hold some of the wealthiest families in the world and are a powerful economy full of expensive stones and materials.

So when thinking about your Indian wedding, whether you are of that race or religion, remember the history and the traditions behind the jewellery used in the ceremony. If you are getting married to someone who is Indian and wishes to have an Indian wedding be respectful of them and embrace their culture. The Indian culture is an amazing one, they are humble and loving people who care about their family, their religions, beliefs and beyond all their way of life.